Abandoned MiGs & Other Aircraft: Former Soviet Hardware From Iraq to Russia

“The MiG“, and all the aircraft variants that name covers, has become an enduring icon of the Cold War. The vast number built by the Soviet Union and later Russia over the last half century and heavily exported means that, while some remain airborne, others lie derelict or destroyed from Siberia to Iraq and beyond. The MiGs shown in this article – along with bomber aircraft built by other Russian manufacturers – reflect a small percentage of those that continue to languish on in various states of disrepair.

Al Asad Air Base became a major staging post in the U.S.-British led invasion of Iraq. The abandoned MiG-25 (top) was left behind by Iraqi forces and subsequently destroyed when U.S. troops took over the base. The jet is typical of the wrecks littering Al Asad, although some, including the twin-seat MiG-21 above, remain in better condition. The relatively intact bombers (below), manufactured by Ilyushin and Tupolev, languish on the desert floor to the extreme south side of the field.

These aircraft were built in the Soviet Union during the Cold War and exported far and wide. Many Middle Eastern countries operate Soviet-built equipment as well as, ironically in the case of Iran, the U.S.-built F-4 Phantom – one of America’s front line defenses against the Soviet Union in addition to its key role in the Vietnam War.

Not quite as intact as Al Asad, Tallil Air Base shows the signs of heavy bombing dating back almost 20 years. These barely recognisable jets were destroyed during Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and have remained in the same place ever since. Discovered by Allied forces around 2003, this bombed-out MiG-23 and MiG-29 Fulcrum are a common site on the Iraqi landscape.

Rotting away at Balad Air Base is a graveyard of armoured vehicles, tanks and most significantly, a row of abandoned MiG-23s. North of Baghdad and now known as Camp Anaconda, the 11 derelict MiGs can be seen on Google Earth arranged in single file and isolated from other military wreckage. These pictures suggest the MiGs and other abandoned military hardware were moved to this vehicle graveyard after the base was swallowed up by U.S. and British forces. (Read our full feature about Balad’s abandoned MiG-23s.)

Despite the spoils of recent wars, the best place to find abandoned MiGs and other Soviet aircraft is Russia and other former Eastern Bloc states. The vast number built combined with the remoteness of their locations – especially in the far reaches of Siberia – mean many former front line aircraft remain in their old operating locations far away from civilisation.

Around the web

The Iraqi MiG-25 found buried under sand was actually found by Australian SAS personnel

Tom

Hey, thanks a lot for the heads-up! I was actually thinking of constructing an entire post around that buried MiG 25, so I’ll be sure to credit the Australian SAS in there

Matt

So, so sad. Those beautiful airplanes left to rot

Matt

So, so sad. Those beautiful airplanes left to rot

That Guy

Actually your info regarding the F-4 Phantom is outdated, it’s been retired from US service as a combat aircraft since 1996. Its last use was the first Gulf War where F-4G Wild Weasels were used in the SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defense) role.